HEMOGLOBIN

SUMMARY

1. Hemoglobin is a globular molecule made up of 4 subunits.

2. Each subunit contains a haem moiety conjugated to a polypeptide.

3. Haem is an iron-containing porphyrin derivative.

4. Most of adult haemoglobin is HbA (alpha₂, beta₂).

5. 2.5% of Hb is HbA₂ in which the beta chains are replaced by gamma chains.

Reference(s)

Barrett, K.E., Barman, S.M., Brooks, H.L., X, J. and Ganong, W.F. (2019). Ganong’s review of medical physiology. 26th ed. New York: Mcgraw-Hill Education